PIA Dispatch Evening Edition (11 September 2008)

PGMA's Speech during the 37th Celebration of the Araw ng Quirino Dubbed "Panagdadapun Festival"

VIP Grandstand, Capitol Sports Complex, Quirino Province, September 10, 2008

Dios ti agngina unay apo Secretary Bello ti napintas nga introduction yo kanyak.
Apo Congressman Junie Cua, ti baru nga chairman ti Committee on Appropriations diay Kongreso, the first chairman of the Committee on Appropriations nga anak ti amyanan; Apo Congressman Rodito Albano gapo Isabela; Apo Governor Daks Cua ken Mrs. Cua, the former Congresswoman Cua; Apo Bishop Villena; other Cabinet members; other officials ti probinsiya ti Quirino; amin nga mayores ken opisyales dagidiay naduma-duma nga ili ti Quirino; kakabsat ken gagayyem, naimbag a bigat yo amin ken maragsak nga fiesta kadakayo.
Ken iso nga ti tema ti fiesta yo ket “I Love Quirino.” Immay kami met ta siyak met I love Quirino. And I consider it a humbling experience to be able to serve, as Congressman Junie Cua mentioned in the various ways that we work together, the people of Quirino and thank you for the honor of serving you. Uray no Quirino, adda sab-sabali nga ethnic groups. Dagiti Ilokano, dagiti Bugkalot, Ifugao, Kankana-ey, Ibaloi, Agta, nagkakadua kayo kas maysa nga umili tano agaramid para ti vision ti pagilyan tayo to become a first world nation in 20 years.
Ipakpakita yo iti panagayat yo, saan laeng ti probinsiya yo ngem iti dadduma iti Pilipinas babaen ti panang-share yo iti bounty iti daga yo kadagiti sabali nga probinsiya, dagiti vegetables yo nga pinadakkel ditoy ket agpakpakan iti ado kadagiti kailyan yo iti sabali pay nga parte iti Luzon ken iti Visayas. Dios ti agngina kadakayo amin.
Tungtungpalen yo iti importante nga role tatta nga adda kakurangan ti makan iti intero nga lubong daytoy nga tawen. Self-sufficient kayo iti bagas and you even export a part of it ken iti probinsiya yo ket iti immuna nga banana producer iti Region II. Ikikkan yo met dagiti sabali nga probinsiya iti kape, mani, ken sabali pay nga ani gapo iti industriya dagiti umili ti Quirino ken sabali nga probinsiya nga self-sufficient iti bagas, masapul laeng nga ag-import tayo ti 10 percent ti kasapulan tayo iti bagas.
Sakbay nga dagiti rice exporting countries ket nagsardeng nga aglako dagiti sabali nga pagilyan. We have been working tirelessly to address challenges arising from the slowdown in the global economy combined with high oil and food prices. Iti tulong iti probinsiya ti Quirino, we have succeeded in ensuring that our country’s food supplies remain stable.
Isu nga pinagpigsa tayo iti agricultural production aglalo kadagiti probinsiya nga kangatuan iti yields da, babaen kas pagarigan ti irigasyon. Ken kadua ti programa tayo ket ti Addalam Irrigation System nga inrugi tayo idi Mayo. Ken kasla kuna ni Governor Daks Cua, adda gastos tayo nga 1.3 billion pesos tapno maipatakder, but it will give us irrigation of 5,000 hectares -- actually, 5,800 -- of which 1,000 hectares already have been irrigated since last May diay ili ti Aglipay ken Saguday ditoy nga probinsiya ken kasta met iti Jones ken Echague diay Isabela. Manipud idi rugi daytoy nga panangaramid daytoy irrigation network ket nangaramid met tayo nga 1,200 nga baro nga trabaho.
And we have those who have benefited from this project. Elmer Pagaduan -- addadtoy ni Elmer Pagaduan? Diak ammo no addadtoy because you’re so many here -- used to have an idle land of 1.5 hectares diay Saguday. Itatta nga addan Addalam Irrigation System, fully irrigated, he expects to harvest at least 120 cavans this late September compared to 60 cavans no idi no awan pay ti Addalam Irrigation System. Ta tatta, he is now assured of two croppings a year.
Maykadua iti proyekto iti Addalam River, adda met nagpaaramid met tayo iti 29 nga basbassit nga Community Irrigation Systems wenno Small Water Impounding Projects iti intero nga probinsiya nga mangpadanum iti 2,000 nga ektarya.
Ti intero nga pagilyan, we have restored about a million hectares of old rundown irrigation systems, including 2,000 hectares in Quirino. So the new and the restored irrigation systems have increased our nation’s irrigation land to 1.5 million hectares, including 10,000 hectares here in the province of Quirino.
In terms of oil, the high price of oil and gasoline and everyday commodities hits our poor the hardest. While the high price of oil is a global issue and outside the control of
the government, we have introduced measures to lift the burden of our people. Several months ago, we removed the tariff on oil. We have also been providing targeted cash payments to the poorest of the poor to help you cope with their electric bills. Diak ammo no idtoy Quirino, dagidiay consumers ti menos ti 100 kilowatts ti kuryente, addan diskuwento para makatulong kadakayo amin nga nagrigrigat ti kuryente.
But the fact is that this is a global phenomenon and these global forces are causing real difficulties for all countries around the world. So no matter what actions we take, we must work together to resolve these global issues if we are to see any significant recovery in the world economy.
Toy Quirino, saan laeng importante ti agtaltalon, importante met ti reporma ti daga. Committee dak ti land reform, kas anak daydi Pangulo nga nangirugi iti emancipation dagiti agtaltalon babaen iti land reform.
I know for a fact from being around my father -- who incidentally was a protegee of President Quirino after whom your province was named -- I learned from him how challenging it is to govern our nation especially with the media that is the freest in the whole world as it was during my father’s presidency. But a President governs for the benefit of all Filipinos and should not be focused on public relations.
Ni papang ko, kuna ni former Governor Espino nga idi ti Quirino ket kadua ti Nueva Vizcaya, na ni papang ko iso ti nagrugi ti Diffun-Maddela road idi tiyempo na. My father was my greatest mentor, role model and inspiration. I learned early from him the meaning and importance of fortitude. Kasla kuna ni Congressman Junie Cua idi 38 years ago, awan pay nga napipintas nga kalsada, irigasyon, awan pay nga uray anya. So nangruna pay idi tiyempo ni papang ko, and so the time when they came to open the Diffun-Maddela road, nagbiyahe da to... wen, 9 hours nagbangka gapo, saan? Sadinno? Gapo Aglipay inggana Maddela, 9 hours ti biyahe idi ngem itatta, nalpasen dagiti kalsada tayo, napipintasen dagiti kalsada tayo. But this lesson, ravelling 9 hours by boat which is part of the two days of travel by land, is the lesson that still keeps us going everyday as we go about making tough decisions that we hope will set the Philippines on the path to becoming a modern, prosperous nation.
Serving the people of our country iso ti importante. And I am very happy nga akas chairman ti Appropriations Committee itatta, Congressman Junie Cua, will serve not only the people of Quirino but all the people of this great nation. And I know he will be tireless in working to bring about the changes that will deliver a better life for all Filipinos including all the people of Quirino. And so, we work with the very strong work ethic at the same time promote an agenda that has delivered the strongest economy in more than 30 years and a better quality of life for millions of our countrymen including, I hope, the Bugkalots of Quirino.
Dagiti Bugkalot kadagiti tallo nga probinsiya ti Quirino, Aurora ken Nueva Vizcaya ket naikkanen ti Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles para ti 100,000 nga ektarya. Dagitoy CADTs, kadua dagiti sabali nga agricultural inputs ket mangikari to bring iti adu nga produksyon ken nangatngato nga kita. And that’s the reason why your mayor chieftain, Rosario Camma, was the best dressed person in the opening of Congress.
But that is to symbolize ti importansiya ti Quirino para ti intero ti pagilyan. You know, all provinces, all districts lobby to be included in the SONA. Ngem diay SONA is only a 35-minute speech kadua ti palakpak maybe one hour, so you cannot talk about everybody. Ngem iti SONA tayo, Quirino was mentioned two times -- Addalam River ken dagidiay Bugkalots nga nabaro nga CADTs. Iso ti importansiya ti Quirino para ti intero nga pagilyan. Immuna ti kontribusyon yo dagidiay kanem ti pagilyan na ikadua ti kontribusyon yo para ti social justice para dagidiay indigenous population.
Iso nga no agkakayat tayo ti Quirino agkakayat tayo met ti intero nga pagilyan. And so that’s why here we are -- we love Quirino and we love the whole Philippines. And we are here to thank Quirino because you love the Philippines, you help feed the Philippines and you help the Philippines achieve social justice.
Dios agngina kadakayo amin and Happy 37th Anniversary! ###

Dureza rebuffs lawyer’s claim on mining permit in Diwalwal

PRESS Secretary Jesus Dureza said today that contrary to a lawyer’s claim, the government has not issued a permit to ZTE Investment Ltd. of China to undertake mining operations in the Mt. Diwalwal gold mining site in Monkayao, Compostela Valley.
At a joint press briefing with Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila in Malacanang this afternoon, Dureza said that no mining contract has been awarded to ZTE, and as a law professor, Harry Roque should know that there’s no basis for an anti-graft case against Favila.
Dureza said Roque’s real intention is to demonize the administration by indirectly resurrecting the ghost of the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN)-ZTE deal, which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had cancelled.
Roque, a fixture among anti-administration critics, has threatened to file anti-graft charges against Favila before the office of the Ombudsman for the alleged mining contract.
But Favila shrugged off the threat, saying “by all means” the law professor can go ahead with his anti-graft complaint.
“I have no problem with that,” Favila said.
Dureza explained that a memorandum of agreement (MOU) is not a contract but merely an expression of intent to invest, and is subject to publication.
He said Roque should understand the difference between intent to invest and a contract.
He also noted that Roque has the habit of hurling charges after another against the administration without backing them up with evidence.
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza had clarified that his office has no record that the MOU on the mining operation has been implemented. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) approves mining permits.
Atienza said that an MOU is a mere “invitation” to a business entity to invest in the country. An MOU is different from a permit issued by the government to go into actual exploration and development of a mining site, he added.

Tirades on ZTE mining explo MOU part of demonization drive vs Arroyo admin – Favila

TRADE Secretary Peter Favila today lamented as part of a demonization campaign against the Arroyo administration the published tirades of a UP professor against a mining exploration project involving China’s ZTE Corporation.
In a joint press conference with Press Secretary Jesus Dureza today in Malacanang, Secretary Favila challenged Harry Roque, said to be a law professor of the University of the Philippines, to make true the latter’s published threat to charge him before the Ombudsman for the said memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ZTE.
“Maybe it’s part of the process of demonizing the administration. I read in the papers that they will take me to the Ombudsman – by all means!” stressed Favila.
“Sa akin, ‘di problema yan,” added Favila who said he has forwarded all papers regarding the ZTE to the Senate committee which earlier investigated the long-cancelled ZTE national broadband network contract. The trade secretary stressed that the concerned committee has brilliant lawyers as members.
For his part, Press Secretary Dureza said an MOU is not a contract but “merely an expression of intention to invest.”
Dureza added that the MOU includes the different fields where ZTE is interested in investing, including Diwalwal.
“It’s part of a demonizing demolition job – carpet bombing,” said Dureza who surmised that this is all in preparation for the 2010 elections.
The Press Secretary, himself a lawyer, added: “Atty. Roque is engaging in… He is a professor of law -- he would understand the difference between intention to invest and an agreement or contract.”
Dureza said he noticed that Roque has been wont to unleash issues without presenting any evidence to the public who lap up his unfounded “bombs.” He added, “Pinapasakay ang publiko, marami (namang) sumasakay,” he lamented.
“I dare him to file a constitutional challenge to the MOU and I will be the lawyer of Secretary Favila to take the constitutional debate to the highest levels,” said Dureza who, however, clarified that, if ever, he would first ask the permission of the President to lawyer for Favila.
In a lighter vein, Favila likened an MOU to a “pamanhikan.”
“Parang sa pag-ibig. Ang MOU, namanhikan pa lang,” said Favila who added that a contract comes only after the priest had blessed the couple who then sign the marriage papers.

PGMA convenes National Competitiveness Council Monday

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will convene Monday the National Competitiveness Council to review the measures that will make the Philippines more globally competitive and business friendly.
Trade Secretary Peter Favila, in a press briefing this morning in Malacanang said the President will meet the private sector and various working groups of the Council to reassess the country’s competitiveness in a move to attract more investments.
“We will make a review of initial steps undertaken, timelines, and where we are lagging and progressing,” Favila said.
The President set the meeting with the National Competitiveness Council as one of the country’s biggest foreign benefactors, the World Bank-International Finance Corporation (WB-IFC), said that the Philippines ranked 140th out of 181 countries surveyed on ease of doing business.
The survey was conducted on cities to gauge global competitiveness in ease of opening businesses, of securing licenses and permits, of registering property , and other details covered by the concept of doing business in the Philippines.
Favila stressed that the government has been implementing much-needed reforms to make the country more business –friendly that it has to be noted that the WB-IFC survey covered the fiscal year July 2007 to June 2008 and that the survey principally focused on respondents in Manila.
“IFC had just informed me that the reforms we have put in place within this fiscal year had not been considered because of the cut-off,” he said.
Nevertheless, the government is bent on further improving the business climate to be more globally competitive as it has been the overarching goal of the President to attract more investments.
He said the government has been working on simplifying business regulations and practices as well building a national business registry and harmonizing conflicting laws to ease doing business in the country.
Favila suggested that the survey should cover places outside Metro Manila because there are many cities and provinces that have executed solid reforms thus making their competitiveness much improved.
He cited another survey with a much wider scope---the Institute of management Development (IMD) where the Philippines performance improved five notches in the rankings with the same four major factors covered namely economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.
“The difference between the two surveys is that IFC focused on Manila only while the IMD survey covered the whole country,” he said.
“I would like to point out that in the IMD survey, we improved and ranked 40th in world competitiveness and the performance of the country scored positive in economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure,” he said.
He added that strong domestic economy and improved state finances were the main factors for the upgraded ranking.
The IMD survey, Favila said, measured 55 countries on the basis of 323 criteria, which “shows how broad it is.”
Nevertheless, Favila said, irregardless of survey results, the government has put in place several reforms which include local government units being linked to the national business registry, continuing streamlining of business licensing process, fasttracking the implementation of a national Single Window with the Bureau of Customs(BOC) and the Import-Export Licensing agencies.
He said the President has given the BOC the first Tuesday of October to “deliver results.”
IFC is the World Bank’s investment arm for the private sector. This 2008-2009 fiscal year, it will lend Philippine business firms $564 million, which is more than four times the $130 million it loaned to the Philippines for FY 2007-2008. The IFC loans will mainly be given to the infrastructure, agribusiness, power and financial sectors.

Economic planners crossing fingers that drop in world oil prices will continue

GOVERNMENT economic planners are crossing their fingers that the downward spiral in the price of oil in the world market would continue until the end of the year, or at least remain below $100 per barrel from a high of more than $147 in July.
But Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila cautioned that the situation in the global oil market remains unpredictable and requires careful and sustained watching.
For the first time since April, world price of oil crashed below $100 a barrel Tuesday, but rebounded overnight above $100 after the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel announced a production cut of 520,000 barrels a day.
At a press briefing with Press Secretary Jesus Dureza in Malacanang this morning, Favila said the government is trying to “manage expectations” of lower oil prices but price movements remain erratic.
But he said that oil “prices seem to soften and at least we are expecting this would be sustained until the end of the year.”
While the demand for specific items including chicken, salad dressing and noodles increase during the Christmas season, people can expect no drastic price surges of food products if oil prices take no sudden spurts, Favila said.
He said the DTI had launched, in partnership with 17 manufacturing firms, a “Diskwento nga Bayan” program under which commodities are sold at discounted rates ranging from a low of10 percent up to 70 percent.
Launched at the DTI compound in Makati City, the pro-consumer project will make its presence felt in other places in Metro Manila. Prices of the items sold under the program are “pretty good, even pandesal you can get at affordable prices,” Favila said.
Oil prices in the world market took a dramatic fall below $100 a barrel Tuesday, the lowest in more than five months, but climbed back within hours to $104 after the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) clamped down on production by 520,000 barrels a day.
In its monthly report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said the world demand for oil would decline during the rest of 2008 and next year.
The IEA report, which came out before the OPEC announcement of a production cut, cited people’s changing lifestyles particularly in the United States, as a reaction to the high oil prices.

Favila tells bakery owners to justify high prices of pandesal, loaf bread, or else …

TRADE and Industry Secretary Peter Favila said today bakery owners must present documents justifying the increase in the price of “pandesal,” otherwise they could face profiteering charges.
Favila said bakers claim that they had to increase the price of pandesal and loaf bread because of the increase in the prices of raw materials.
“Sa flour millers, ang binigay na reason, their current inventory was acquired three months ago at higher price (and that) ‘yun ang ina-unload sa kanila.”
“Sabi namin, show us the data. If that can be proven… mai-intindihan namin ‘yan,” Favila said.
He warned, however, that if the bakers cannot “show me data, and (yet) you increase prices, I said I will invoke the Price Act, or Republic Act (RA) 7581 and that’s going to hurt.”
“Ibigay niyo lang sa akin (price documents), ako na magpapaliwanag. If you don't, I have no choice -- my responsibility is to implement what is in the law. I won’t hesitate to file charges. Pag ginalaw n’yo presyo nang wala kayo napakita, I will apply the law,” Favila said

CSC honors top-performing government officials, employees in NCR

THE Civil Service Commission – National Capital Region (CSC-NCR) will be honoring its regional Semi-Finalists for the 2008 Honor Awards Program (HAP) as well as top-performing government agencies for the Public Service Delivery Audit/Assistance (PASADA) in a simple ceremony on September 16, 2008, 2:00 p.m. at the Sulo Hotel, Quezon City .
The HAP is an annual event conducted by the Civil Service Commission in recognition of government officials and employees who have outstanding contributions and achievements in their respective fields.
A total of nine semi-finalists, six individuals and three groups from the NCR were selected for the three award categories.
For the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, the semi-finalists are the following:
• Joint Department of Loans and Credit & Information Technology Sub-Sector (DLC-ITSS) for developing the Electronic Rediscounting System which resulted in operational efficiencies and a more effective means to provide credit to more banks and borrowers in the countryside. The e-rediscounting served as impetus to the development of other systems that benefited not only the BSP but the entire banking industry;
• National Coin Recirculation Program/Tulong Barya Para sa Eskuwela from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for increasing public awareness on the need and importance of regularly using and recirculating coins while improving the learning environment in public elementary schools;
• School of Health Sciences of the University of the Philippines – Manila for pioneering the development and implementation of the ladderized education in the Philippines and the “Doktor Para sa Bayan” Project; and
• Dr. Caesar A. Saloma, Dean of the College of Sciences of the University of the Philippines – Diliman for his outstanding contribution in optics, instructional competence and teaching effectiveness.
The following are the Dangal ng Bayan Award semi-finalists:
• Director Virgilio F. Basa of the National Mapping and resource Information Authority for writing a procedural Manual for Land Classification and Sub-Classification for Integrated Land Use Planning and for preparing the multi-dated Land Use and Forest Cover Maps for the whole country; • J/Superintendent Delvic L. Oreiro of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for launching the City Jail Library and for instituting zero waste management scheme. He also established a livelihood program such as “tilapia” raising and baking among the inmates. These were all done during his incumbency as Jail Warden of the Makati City Jail; and
• Atty. Charito (Rosario) L. Planas for exhibiting responsiveness to the public as shown in the various causes she espoused while performing her role as Executive Director of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation, Inc.
The semi-finalists for the CSC Pagasa Award are the following:
• Mr. Froilan C. Roque of the Mint and Refinery Operations Department of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for designing various fixtures and the weighing scale platform; and
• J/Superintendent Lyndon D. Torres of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for decongesting and improving the jails and his borderless linkages with other institutions.
Another centerpiece program of the Commission, known as the PASADA highlights the best frontline service practices of different offices that serve as benchmarks for success in the bureaucracy’s program for good governance. Already on its 3rd year, the PASADA operates on the simple process of evaluating the delivery of frontline services across government offices using PASADA volunteers who visit selected agencies incognito.
For this year, the PASADA covered 17 Local Government Units (LGUs) and four State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). Of the 17 LGUs, seven will be awarded. These are the City Governments of Caloocan, Marikina, and Pasay for their frontline service on General Medical Consultation; the City Governments of Malabon, Manila, Marikina and Pasig for their frontline service relating to giving information on Senior Citizen privileges, requirements and procedures for application; and lastly, the City Government of Valenzuela for their frontline service on giving information on Solo Parent privileges, requirements and procedures for application.
Of the SUCs visited, only the Office of the University Registrar of the University of the Philippines – Diliman obtained a “Very Good” rating for their frontline service relative to inquiries on enrolment requirements, procedures and schedule.
The Civil Service Commission remains true to its commitment of recognizing and rewarding commendable civil servants. Under the leadership of Chair Ricardo L. Saludo, CSC is confident that fellow civil servants will emulate the accountability, professionalism and commitment to public service exhibited by the awardees.
CSC–NCR Head Assistant Commissioner Anicia Marasigan-De Lima is certain that this year’s recognition ceremony will be a success. Local Chief Executives and heads of other government agencies have confirmed their attendance to the Ceremony. De Lima emphasized, “In these trying times, we should highlight the positive side of the bureaucracy for the people to renew its faith in the government.”

Reference official:DIR. JING DECO, CSC NMFO (02-5276615)

Davao tech-voc school inks partnership with Malaysian center

A TECHNICAL and vocation school here in Davao offering tourism-related courses has inked an agreement with Malaysia based training center for international hotel exposure of students.
The agreement was signed at the Club 888 Forum of the Marco Polo Davao on Wednesday between Aces Polytechnic College and TransAis Vacation Training Center.
Signing the agreement were Dr. Francisco de la Pena, Jr., chief executive officer and president of Aces and Dato’ Dr. Baha Hj Nordin, vice president of TransAir.
For a fee of $600 and after going through screening, the student will be deployed in international hotels in Malaysia for a period of six months.
Pena said although the training is voluntary their exposure to international hotel in Kuala Lumpure will hone their skills as expertise of the craft has high demand in the global market.
Nordin on the other hand said that their training center accommodates 1,000 students and the slot is is being shared by students coming from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.
He said the Davao batch will be their second; the first was those coming from Zamboanga City now doing hotel exposure in Malaysia.
He also said that they prefer those from Mindanao like Davao and Zamboanga rather than those in Manila because the students there are already well exposed.
He said the demand of the market is large even as he said that people in Malaysia although they have completed academic course they are not the skilled workers.
The industry needs a lot of skilled workers, he said and they noted that Filipinos are good frontliners.
In fact he said two students from the Zamboanga batch represented the hotels in KL in the international competition.
“As far as these Filipino workers are concerned they are most qualified among the Asian workers,” he said.
Nordin meanwhile said that in Malaysia they want to be an educational hub for all Southeast Asian countries.
The TransAir Vacation Training Center he said not only provide employees for hotels but also flight attendants and pilots for airlines, the latest are for Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia.
He also said that after exposure about 20 to 30 percent of them are absorbed in the industry of about 500 hotels all over Malaysia. (PIA/prixdbanzon)

No one to blame, Maco mayor says

NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley--“No one is to blame of the incident,” Mayor Carlos Voltaire Rimando said.
Guesting in Kapihan sa Comval, Tuesday, Rimando brushed aside accusations blaming the local government as equally liable of the tragedy that fell on people who died due to the landslide that occurred Saturday and Sunday (September 6 and 7) in Barangay Masara in Maco, Compostela Valley.
During the forum, Rimando reported 18 had been recovered from the mud that buried more than 20 houses, affecting about 1,000 families.
He said such incident was purely a natural calamity and that the local government unit had taken steps to warn residents of the imminent danger the place was in, after the municipal government declared Masara early this year as a “no man zone.”
Rimando bared that a geological assessment was made on Barangay Masara last year after a landslide struck it in August, 2007 and that the municipal government then made a policy prohibiting people to live in the area.
Now that landslides have again claimed lives of Masara residents, Rimando is enforcing “forcible relocation of residents” including those in nearby barangay Mainit which also belongs to the danger zone.
“Dili unta magmagahi ang mga residente sa pagbiya,” he said.
Rimando also wanted those living along the riverbanks to leave their places and settle at a much safer places especially when heavy would rain occur. “Dili ta angay nga magkumpiyansa.” he said.
He bared that involved agencies and offices of the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council had come to a decision to provide a relocation site for Masara residents and those in identified areas of imminent danger.
“We have identified barangays Elizalde and Panibasan as areas for relocation,” Rimando said.
Meanwhile, Isabelo Melendres, executive assistant to the governor on the same forum bared moves of Governor Arturo Uy to get assistance from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) to look for services of experts on landslide management.
“We want to get their recommendations regarding this kind of incident so we could come up with contingency plans,” he said referring to a letter sent yesterday to the NDCC.
On the other hand President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered immediate government assistance to the victims of the landslides.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said the President directed the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) to ensure that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will assist the local disaster coordinating council in the search and rescue of missing persons in the disaster area.
He said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has ordered the release of rice and other relief goods to the victims now housed in evacuation centers located in nearby Barangay Elizalde. (PIA/JMDAbangan)

More MRDP infra fund ready for LGUs

SO much have remained untapped of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) funding for rural infrastructure that local government units (LGUs) can make use of to boost economic activities.
Guesting in the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo, Arniel Sosa, chief of MRDP Rural Infrastructure Unit said MRDP rural infrastructure sub-project for Southern Mindanao has P251 million funding good until June 2009 and yet only P74 million or 29.5 percent has been taken.
Without quoting how much have so far been given to each province, he said Compostela Valley has the huge stake followed by Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.
During the forum, Sosa urged LGUs to take advantage of the rare opportunity offered them to improve their rural infrastructure without so much money going out of their local coffers.
“MRDP is into 50-50 cost sharing scheme for rural infrastructure,” he said.
MRDP Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education (Info ACE) Unit head Noel Provido in the same forum explained the advantage of the 50-50 cost sharing saying LGUs will only have to put up a 50 percent equity while the rest of the funding requirement to construct an infra project will be shouldered by MRDP.
“It is only with MRDP that LGUs can enjoy a 50-50 cost sharing scheme,” Provido said.
He said National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board Policy pegs cost-sharing scheme at 70/30 for Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, meaning LGUs will have to put up 70 percent equity while the foreign institution provides only 30 percent.
“So why don’t we get the most of what is available?” he said in encouraging LGUs to avail of MRDP’s rural infrastructure sub-project funding. “Other ODAs don’t have such scheme.” he added.
Provido said rural infra project might be the “costliest” investment LGUs can go into but it could spell development especially in the agriculture sector on which food security is built on.
Projects under MRDP rural infrastructure (RI)component includes rehabilitation and construction of communal irrigation and construction of communal irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads, single-lane bridges, potable water supplies and other agricultural infrastructure critical in enhancing farm productivity and access to markets.
Provide bared MRDP RI targets to cover the rehabilitation of an estimated 8,300 hectares irrigation systems; construction of 800 hectares of communal irrigation projects; rehabilitation of about 1,950-kilometer and construction of 200-km farm-to-market roads; construction and replacement of 1,000 linear meter single lane bridges; and the rehabilitation and construction of Level 2 (communal faucets) water system.
Other than the rural infrastructure, MRDP also offers Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) which implements livelihood projects to increase rural incomes of disadvantaged sectors especially the women, indigenous peoples, among others.
Other MRDP sub-project components are the Natural Resources Management and the Investment for Governance Reform and Program Administration.
A World Bank funded program , MRDP is now on its phase II, expanding its scope of coverage to 225 town in 27 provinces Mindanao-wide. (PIA/JMDAbangan)

BIR explains latest tax exemptions under RA 9504

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) explained the latest tax exemptions under Republic Act (RA) 9504 which was approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 17, 2008 to benefit workers and minimum wage earners.
BIR regional director Atty. Marcelinda Omila-Yap explained that under RA 9504, minimum wage earners will now be exempted from paying income taxes. However, minimum wage should be based on the rate fixed by the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board as defined by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Ang iba’t-ibang lugar ay merong iba’t-ibang rate ng suweldo so employees should be based on the salaries as fixed by the DOLE, she said.
Exemptions of taxpayer used to be P20,000 for single, while head of the family used to be P25,000; married was P32,000 for every working taxpayer, if married couple are both working, both of them will be exempted of a total P64,000.00.
But under this new law (RA 9504), allowance of personal exemption for individual taxpayer is P50,000.00. In the case of married individual where only one of the spouses is deriving gross’ income, only such spouse shall be allowed the personal exemption.
Director Omila-Yap said additional exemption for dependents shall be allowed of P25,000 for each dependent not exceeding four.
Talagang napakalaki ng increase sa tax exemptions under this new law or about 150% increase which would ultimately benefit our workers, both from the government and private, including professionals, business sector who can also claim personal and additional tax exemptions, she said.
The additional exemption for dependents shall be claimed by only one of the spouses in the case of married individuals.
In the case of legally separated spouses, additional exemptions may be claimed only by the spouse who has custody of the child or children provided that the total amount of additional exemptions that may be claimed by both shall not exceed the maximum additional exemptions allowed.
RA 9504 is An Act Amending Section 22, 24, 34, 35, 51 And 79 Of Republic Act No. 8424, As Amended Otherwise Known As The National Revenue Code Of 1997. (rbpalacio-BIR press release/PIA XI)

CFO-Task Force against human trafficking now accepts entries for comics scriptwriting contest

THE Commission on Filipino Overseas – Task Force Against Human Trafficking (CF-TFAHT) is now accepting entries for the Comics Scriptwriting Contest on Migration.
The contest is open to all Filipinos residing in the Philippines or overseas, except to CFO-TFAHT personnel.
All stories must be predominantly must be predominantly written in Filipino with selective use of English if necessary, and should revolve on any of the following subject areas: trafficking, intermarriage, overseas Filipino workers and irregular migrants, and other issues relevant to Philippine migration.
Not more than six stories shall be chosen from the entries. The decision of the paned of Judges is final and the winning entries shall be awarded with a cash prize of ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) each.
The deadline for submission of entries is at 5:00 p.m. on 14 November 2008 through the office of the CFO Task Force Against Human Trafficking.
For inquiries on the submission of entries and rules of the contest, please contact the CFO-TFAHT (attention: Mr. Edwin Pajares or Ms. Janet Ramos) at telephone numbers (632) 561-8291, (632) 561-8231 loc. 401 and 600; fax number (632) 561-8291 or thru e-mail address: trafficking@ cfo.gov.ph.
Interested parties may also log on to www.cfo.gov. ph or www.cfo-antitraffic king.org. ph for more details.

Message from H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan , Secretary-General of ASEAN
for the Conference on “Emerging Asian Regionalism: Trends and Challenges”

I CONGRATULATE the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia , the Asian Development Bank and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies of Indonesia for organising this conference. I send my regrets to all of you for not being able to participate in this important event today due to my pressing ASEAN engagements.
Certainly, this conference comes at a time when calls for greater regional resilience have become more important than before, given the current conditions in the global economy. ASEAN is not immune to the global developments but as shown by our experience after the Asian financial crisis, “regionalism can be a stabilising factor when shocks arise.” This year, the stability of the region is being challenged again. But I am convinced that ASEAN will be able to withstand these challenges given that the region has grown more resilient, stronger and integrated than before.
Quite fittingly, the book “Emerging Asian Regionalism: A Partnership for Shared Prosperity”, and for which this conference is based, reaffirms the growing importance of economic integration in Asia . As the global economy continues to grapple with liquidity crunch, food and energy crisis, it is comforting that here we are now talking about how best to gather our collective efforts to move together to address these economic challenges. Therefore, I am pleased to welcome this book and its various recommendations, which reminds us of the tremendous tasks ahead of us in integrating the region.
The book expounds on several themes, provides priorities and policy solutions as a way towards building an Asian economic community of the future. I am pleased to observe that these themes and priorities are also addressed by our own ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint adopted by the ASEAN Leaders in November 2007, which will gear ASEAN towards a single market and production base, a competitive economic region where narrowing of development gaps will be given priority, and as a region that is well plugged into the global economy. Another thing that caught my eyes on page 247 was the diagram on the evolving economic architecture that placed ASEAN at the centre. I am pleased to see this as it validates the role ASEAN is playing as a magnet for wider regional integration in Asia through the various processes such as the sub-regional growth areas, ASEAN Plus One Cooperation, ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation, and the East Asia Summit. I am also glad to note that Asian opinion leaders have given a strong endorsement to the creation of an economic community due to the huge benefits and stability that such a community will bring to Asia and the world.
A number of key priorities were identified in the book, which included the provision of regional public goods, managing spillovers among economies, exercising Asia ’s influence in the global economies, liberalising trade and investment and adding value to national policy making. These priorities are congruent to the priorities that ASEAN has set for itself to build the ASEAN Community by 2015.
In the area of ASEAN trade integration, tariffs in the region have been reduced to the current levels of 0-5% for the ASEAN-6 countries of Brunei , Indonesia , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore and Thailand . The rates are expected to decline to zero by 2010, and by 2015, for the rest of the countries in the ASEAN. In addition to this, six rounds have been concluded to carry out progressive liberalisation of trade in services. Soon, trade and investment in ASEAN will become more attractive with the signing of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement by the end of the year. In the area of finance, capital markets are in a process of being linked-up and increasingly deepened, in addition to other important initiatives to foster the region’s monetary and financial integration, such as capital account liberalisation, financial services liberalisation, Chiang Mai Initiative and Asian Bond Markets Development.
More emphasis would be placed in ASEAN on addressing beyond-the-border measures – such as the elimination of non-tariff barriers, strengthening of trade facilitation measures, and harmonisation of standards, laws and regulations – as the subsequent logical steps in broadening and deepening the region’s economic integration for the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community. For example, to encourage cross-border capital flows that are needed for trade and investment liberalisation, equal tax rates and other tax provisions throughout the region are critical, in addition to regulations and policies that govern transfer pricing and payments. The ASEAN Roadmap for Integration of the Logistics Services Sector would certainly play a role in integrating ASEAN into one seamless market for goods, services and investment, and encourage the establishment of more production networks in the region.
Second, to ensure that AEC is achieved by 2015, ASEAN will strengthen the implementation of programmes at the national level. ASEAN Member States are being urged to ensure that regional commitments are transposed into national commitments through appropriate domestic processes. A case in point is Indonesia , which has included implementation of AEC commitments in the Presidential Instruction No 5/2008 on the Focus of the 2008-2009 Economic Programmes as part of her national effort towards achieving AEC by 2015. The new ASEAN mechanisms under the Charter, the Scorecard for the AEC, engagement of the stakeholders of the AEC, including the business community, and capacity building efforts to support implementation of regional commitments at the national level, would certainly help in this critical effort.
Third, since regional economic integration is not an end by itself, but a policy instrument designed to achieve development goals, greater macroeconomic and policy coordination is needed. I think one form of policy coordination that is crucial is the coordination of trade, investment and financial policies. It goes without saying that both financial and trade integration should go hand in hand. To facilitate trade, we need to create the financial instruments to hedge the risks of trade and investment flows. In the same manner, we need financial integration to facilitate specialisation and exploitation of economies of scale, which are related to trade. Without significant integration of our financial systems, I don’t think our economic integration can go far.
Fourth, I would like to highlight the central role ASEAN is playing in promoting regional integration, dialogues and cooperation in Asia pursuant to one of the key principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter that calls for the “centrality of ASEAN in external political, economic, social and cultural relations while remaining actively engaged, outward looking, inclusive and non-discriminatory”. Indeed, ASEAN has gone a long way in meeting this goal from just providing a platform for our Dialogue Partners to come together to exchange insights on global and regional developments to actually catalysing economically meaningful partnerships and engagements regarded as building blocks that would bring about a more vibrant East Asian region. In this context, the imminent conclusion of our free trade agreements with our Dialogue Partners, China , Japan , Korea , India , Australia and New Zealand , would serve as one building block towards wider integration in East Asia . Our Dialogue Partners actively support this role ASEAN is playing by providing assistance to our integration efforts. A stable, vibrant and connected ASEAN will generate positive externalities to all of us and our Partners.
But to be effectively rules-based, ASEAN needs a well-funded, well-staffed, and well-equipped Secretariat to coordinate cooperation activities, and to inform, monitor and report on the implementation of relevant agreements, blueprints and plans. The ASEAN Leaders envisaged a more active role for the ASEAN Secretariat to help facilitate and drive ASEAN economic integration. At the beginning of next year, we also hope to put in place a strengthened and expanded ASEAN Secretariat.
Let me conclude by emphasizing that the best way forward for Asia to sustain growth and development is to look at regional economic integration. However, the strategy to such integration should be carefully studied and developed using practical, gradual and flexible approaches taking into the development stage of the countries in Asia and the existing and overlapping mechanisms in the regional architecture. Shared prosperity is indeed within Asia ’s reach through a more coordinated economic integration strategy.
I wish your Conference a great success. Thank you


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
PNP to tap NGOs in getting information on Bravo

ICC-ILIGAN CITY (09/11/08)–The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be tapping the non-government organizations (NGOs) in getting information on the whereabouts of Bravo.
This was announced by P/Chief Supt. Sukarno Ikbala, Deputy Director for Police Community Relations (PCR), Philippine National Police (PNP) based in Camp Crame, during a recent media briefing at the Information Command Center (ICC), Iligan City.
“We will be tapping the NGOs which has numerous organization and family members who may have information on Commander Bravo of the lawless MILG group (LMG) and then we sill process the information they will feed us,” he said.
Ikbala also said one of the reasons why he came to Lanao del Norte is because the PNP wants these NGOs activated not only in relief operations but in information gathering as well.
Meanwhile, he has called on all the Christian and Muslims alike to unite in the fight against the LMG because of the atrocities they committed.
“Lalong lalala ang problema natin kung hiwalay ang gagawin natin (Our problem will escalate if we do not things together), therefore, we should unite,” he said.
Killing innocent civilians is truly against the Islam religion and Bravo and Kato had really no reason to do so. “Dapat lang parusahan sila,” he emphasized.
Justice is very much important in Islam. So if you have done an injustice to yourself, your parents, your brothers or your children, you should be punished for that injustice.
He said, “ ‘Kung di nila kayang patayin si ‘(If they could not kill) Bravo at Kato, then, the MILF should immediately turn them over to the PNP to answer for their crimes, if they are truly Muslims, as what they claim to be, kahit masakit (even if it hurts).”
“If we don’t do this, then we, too will commit sin because we will be protecting the wrong people,” the PNP chief of PCR who is a native of Jolo said.
As part of my work, I have set aside my PNP Officer’s Cap and wear a Muslim head gear in my travels “to generate sympathy from the Muslims,” he added. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, PIA-10)


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH

Lawless MILF led by Bravo, Kato, Pangalian are enemies of Islam--PNP Gen. Ikbala

ICC-ILIGAN CITY (09/11/08) – P/Chief Supt. Sukarno Ikbala, Deputy Director for Police Community Relations (PCR), Philippine National Police (PNP), has called on all dedicated Muslims to condemn the un-Islamic acts committed by the group of MILF leader Abdulah Macapaar, alias commander Bravo.
The one-star Police General, Ikbala is in Iligan City and the Lanao Provinces to assess the situation particularly on the progress of collaboration between the PNP and the AFP in the conduct of the operation against the lawless MILF group (LMG).
“I also would like to know how we are handling the communities to assure our people that indeed the AFP and the PNP can protect them come hell or high waters,” he stressed.
Himself a Tausog, Ikbala who donned a “Tutob” instead of the usual Pershing cap that goes with his PNP Officer’s uniform, said his main reason in coming over to Mindanao is, likewise, to generate the sympathy of the Muslims themselves to fight against Kato and Bravo.
“What Bravo and Kato did are against the Islam religion,” Ikbala said referring then to the merciless killings of innocent civilians and burning of houses in some towns of Lanao del Norte and Cotabato provinces.
Addressing the Muslim community, Ikbala said, “Nakalagay sa Quran natin na puede kang lumaban kung ikaw ay pinapaalis sa lugar mo dahil ikaw ay nagsabi na “Allah is my Lord” (what is written in our Koran is that you can fight only if you are driven out of your place because you said ’Allah is my Lord.’)
But I don’t believe that is what was happening here. We don’t even believe that there is any religious persecution that is taking place in the Muslim and non-Muslim areas.
He said back in the ‘70s, there was only one mosque in the whole of Metro Manila which we called the Islamic Center.
Presently, however, we now have about 120 mosques and prayer centers in the area.
In Visayas and Mindanao, more than 1,000 mosques when there was few in the past.
My point is “ there was never and never will there be religious persecution in our country, as we have lived harmoniously historically from generations to generations, Ikbala, emphasized.
Ikbala reiterated his call on all Muslim religious and community leaders to consolidate their efforts with the government to bring lasting peace in Mindanao.
He said the LMGs, are enemies of Islam and therefore, we should beware of Kato and Bravo because they are Muslim Munafiqiin and “may the curse of Allah befall them.”
Ikabala also appealed to the leadership of the MILF saying “If they are really Moro Islamic, they should know better the teachings of the Holy Qu’ran and therefore, recognize that Kato and Bravo and their groups are their enemies and should be made to face the consequences of their un-Islamic actions particularly the merciless killings of civilians. (Rutchie Cabahug Aguhob, PIA-10)


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH

Continued fighting and war is no alternative to a lasting peace –Pres. Arroyo

ICC-ILIGAN CITY (09/11/08) – Only through a lasting peace agreement will Mindanao realize its true potential and its promise as a major contributor to its own economic future and that of the country.
This is the message of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the people of Mindanao during the observance of September as the National Peace Consciousness Month.
She said the government is on the side of peace and needs the support of all Filipinos, Christians and Muslims alike, if this opportunity for peace is to be realized and if the country is to prosper.
Referring to the on-going conflict in Northern and Central Mindanao involving the lawless elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the President said the violence must stop and that order must be restored, if we want peace.
“There is no room for wanton violence against innocent civilians. Calmer voices and cooler heads in the MILF must prevail before renegade elements spin further out of control. Continued fighting and war is no alternative to a lasting peace,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, the President said the government has refocused all peace talks from one centered on dialogues with rebels to one of authentic dialogues with the communities.
It must also secure peace, order and stability in the region and reassure all the people that we can then move ahead with any broad-based discussion on the peace process which includes bringing relief to affected refugees and victims and bringing to justice the purveyors of violence, she added. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, PIA-10)


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH

Govt. relief operations up to remote far-flung evac center--OCD

ICC-ILIGAN CITY (09/11/08) – The government is on top of the situation as far as the distribution of relief foods and humanitarian assistance is concerned.
This assurance of came from Regional Director Carmelito A. Lupo of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Region 10, the agency tasked as principal coordinator in the distribution of food and non-food items to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Lanao del Norte.
“In coordination with the Lanao del Norte Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), we have worked out a plan to systematize the distribution of relief goods, especially at the evacuation centers in the far-flung areas of the province,” he said.
This includes the use of the goods distribution and monitoring forms (GDMF) by donor agencies that shows the type, the number and places where the goods are to be distributed, to avoid duplication of goods and so that clearance can be secured off-hand before the scheduled distribution.
Asked if the government has asked the donations from other countries, Lupo answered in the negative saying the situation with the lawless elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) did not warrant calling for international help.
He said, however, that donations from international agencies which are already on the ground have always been welcomed by OCD-10.
Meanwhile, Lupo said as of Sept. 8, 2008, the United Nations-World Food Programme (UN-WFP) has donated a total of 3,800 sacks of rice for those affected by the MILF violence in LDN thru the following: LDN PDCC, 2500 sacks; Misamis Occidental PDCC, 500 sacks; Iligan City DCC, 500 sacks; and OCD-Regional Office 10, 300 sacks. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, PIA-10)


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH

DSWD applies play therapy on children evacuees

ICC-ILIGAN CITY (09/11/08) -- Children should not be deprived of their right to play even when they are in evacuation centers (EC).
Thus, aside from the delivery of basic services like food, shelter and clothing, the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), region 10, has included play therapy for them and psycho social activity for mothers to undergo while at the ECs.
In a recent press briefing, Charmaine Palacio-Tadlas, DSWD-10 Information Officer, said their office provides these children, especially the victims of armed conflict, space where they can interact and apply psychological, emotional, as well as, therapeutic sessions through playing.
Mothers in return received psychological social intervention from the day care workers who teach them how to handle their children in this time of crisis when they, themselves, feel so depressed and stressed out.
As part of this intervention, they are made to express their anger, fear, tears, to let go of their emotions resulting from the actual scenario they experienced during the attack of the lawless MILF groups (LMG), Tadlas explained.
Meanwhile, foods served at the ECs are prepared with utmost consideration of the religious belief of the internally displaced persons (IDP), she added. (Lorry V. Gabule, PIA Iligan City)


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH

Phil. Army’s 11D commander cites 35IB for gallantry and heroism

ICC-ILIGAN CITY (09/11/08) -- Maj. Gen. Nehemias G. Parito, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, has commended the troops of the 35th Infantry Battalion, for their heroism relative to the on-going operations against the lawless MILF group (LMG) in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.
“I commend you for your gallantry in action and heroism. Despite feeling tired while pursuing the LMG, you have showed your perseverance and determination so that, inch by inch, you have sealed off the group of Bravo,” he said.
Pajarito’s commendation came after elements of 35IB under LTC Jose Faustino, particularly, the “C” Company incurred no casualty in the Sept. 10, 2008 encounter with the LMG in Barangay Taporog of the said town.
The government troop was conducting combat patrol in the area when fired upon by more or less 30 fully armed LMG’.
The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes after which the LMG scampered and withdrew towards the hinterlands of Munai and Pantao Ragat complex in Lanao del Norte.
Meanwhile, Maj. Benedicto Manquiquis, head of the 1st CMOU, CMOG, PA said the 35IB inflicted one LMG dead with several others wounded as thick blood stains were seen on the route of their withdrawal.
They also recovered one M16 rifle with one long magazine and 10 short magazines including five (5) combat packs, added. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, PIA-10)


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH

American troops are into humanitarian works

ICC-ILIGAN CITY, Sept 10 (PNA) – Brig. General Hilario Atendido, assistant Division commander of the First Infantry “Tabak” Division, Philippine Army, said today that a team of American Soldiers are in Lanao Del Norte not to participate in military operations against the lawless MILF group but for the delivery of humanitarian services.
General Atendido said the team of US soldiers belonging to the US Maritime Civil military affairs, the counterpart of the Civil Military Operations or CMO of the Philippine Armed Forces arrived last week at the 104th Brigade headquarters bringing relief goods for the internally displaced families in the Lanao provinces.
This group, hand in hand , with the Civil military operations unit of the AFP and the service agencies of the government Disaster coordinating councils, are visiting evacuation centers distributing relief goods, medicines, and attending to medical needs of the internally displaced families.
These US soldiers are non-combatants., although in U.S. military uniform, most of them are doctors, engineers, and specialists on other medical fields and are here to help us alleviate the plight of displaced persons as a result of the atrocities committed by the lawless MILF group.
General Atendido assured that these US soldiers will only be seen in evacuation centers and rehabilitation works like constructions and repair of school buildings, health centers, and other humanitarian services and never in the war front. (ljo,PNA)


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH

Army recovers grenade launcher in Maguindanao clash

ICC-ILIGAN CITY (PIA-Davao)--Army troopers from the 61DRC (Division Reaction Company) encountered about five members of a lawless MILF Group in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao Provinc last Wednesday (Sept. 9).
According to Major Armando Rico, spokesman of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMincom) the clash which lasted for 2 minutes occurred at around 2 pm last Sept. 9 at the vicinity of Barangay Sambulawan in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.
According to Army reports the rebels withdrew in the northwest direction, while troops recovered one M-79 grenade launcher with 2 live ammos.
Last Sept. 8 the same Division Reaction Company was fired upon by members of a lawless MILF group in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in the same province. Phil. Air Force attack planes and choppers provided air support; the incident however resulted to the death of a number of civilians when an attack aircraft returned fire to a fleet of fleeing bancas which provocatively opened fire at the PAF aircraft.
The AFP is investigating the matter and has appealed to the rebels group to cease using civilians as human shields. (PIA/RG Alama)


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH

Marines turnover 4 school buildings in Basilan

ICC-PAGADIAN CITY (Isabela City de Basilan), 9/11/08--After almost two months of reconstruction, the Cabcaban Elementary School buildings under Sumisip municipality in Basilan now looks like a brand new erected building.
This is the result of a joint Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) undertaken by the General Construction Company of the 1st Naval Construction Battalion (1NCBN) of Phil. Navy under Ensign Jeffrey Legazpi PN together with the Seabees of United States Navy.
The project was completed with the support and cooperation of the Sumisip municipal government headed by Mayor, Hon. Haber Asarul, the Marines Battalion Landing Team 1 (MBLT1) under LtCol Jose P Cabanban PN(M) thru the overall supervision of 1st Marine Brigade under Col. Rustico O Guerrero PN(M).
No less than Col. Guerrero and the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) Commander, Col. William Coltrop USA led a simple turnover ceremony program (prepared and initiated by MBLT1) of the said buildings equipped with two (2) big stainless water tanks including a new comfort room with three (3) porcelain bowls last September 6, 2008.
These facilities were well received by Mrs. Tina Musarin, the school’s teacher in-charge.
In addition, some 6 big cartoons of assorted books were also turned-over to Mrs. Musarin which is intended for the pupils of the said school.
One of the activity’s highlights was the ribbon cutting ceremony of the buildings participated by Mayor Asarul, Mrs. Musarin, LtCol Cabanban, Col Guerrero, Col Coltrop and the barangay Chairman Hon. Adduri A Suari. The event was witnessed by some 350 residents, barangay officials, elementary pupils, other MBLT1 personnel, US Forces and some members of the PNP.
In appreciation for its contribution and support Col. Guerrero distributes Certificates of Appreciation to the Philippines and US Navy Seabees contingents for a job well done, and to Mayor Asarul.
Col Guerrero also urged barangay officials and its residents to take care of the buildings so that they may last long for their children.
As a manifestation of his deep gratitude, Mayor Asarul also gave Certificates of Appreciation to Col Guerrero, LtCol Cabanban and to the Officers of Philippines and US Navy Seabees.
Meanwhile, Brgy Captain Suari told MSgt Uyeg of the 4th CRG in an interview his deepest thanks to the Phil. Marines/Navy and to the US Navy Seabees who choose his barangay as a beneficiary of such laudable project. “Through out our life, we will take care of the buildings and never forget such kindness to us”, he concluded. (4CRG, CRSAFP/PIA-BASULTA)


ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH

Government strengthens info support for Mindanao

ICC-ILIGAN CITY, Sept 10 (PNA)–Secretary Dodie Limcauco, head of the Government Information Group, on Wednesday vowed full communication support to the ongoing police operations against rouge Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in keeping with the government policy of transparency.
Limcauco, who is also director-general of the Philippine Information Agency, met here with top military and police commanders in the Lanao area and city mayor Lawrence Cruz, as he also inspected the Information Command Center (ICC) that was put up in this city.
He urged military and local government officials to use the ICC as a channel in informing the public of their programs and undertakings and whatever it is the public needs to know.
It is usually when there is lack of information that people tend to panic that is why this need for a group that can provide accurate and relevant information, he said.
The ICC, which is operational in Iligan City and in Cotabato City, consists of representatives from the Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Broadcasting System, National Broadcasting Network, Philippines News Agency and the television networks RPN and IBC.
Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, commander of the Armed Forces' Western Command, said the move will greatly help in informing the public about what is the military really doing on the ground.
Mayor Cruz also welcome the setting of the ICC saying it will give a better perspective to what is really being done by the government in helping the victims of atrocities committed by rogue MILF rebels. (PNA)